Klaus Bindhart
Major Accomplishments
President of the Board of Directors of Tennis Canada for almost six years.
President of the Ontario Tennis Association (OTA).
Took responsibility for the Canadian Open in 1969.
Served as Chairman of the Canadian Open when it was hosted at the Toronto Lawn.
Helped in the planning and building of the National Tennis Centre at York University in 1976.
Director of Canadian Olympic Association.
Led the change in Tennis Canada’s governance structure
Volunteer for Tennis Canada during the time when his architecture firm did pro bono work on the original Tennis Centre in 1976.
Biography
Klaus Bindhardt was born and raised in Berlin, Germany and came to Canada after serving as a World War II fighter pilot in 1952. He had a degree in architecture and came to Canada to pursue his work and build a better life. Bindhardt had a strong interest in history and in 2002 he received his PhD from Florida State University. His dissertation (The Anglo-German Alliance) formed the basis of his book – Europe’s Folly which was published in 2005.
Not only was Bindhardt involved in the building of several public buildings, but he was also highly involved with tennis in Canada.
Bindhardt began his involvement in the tennis world as a director of the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club from 1963-1969 and as co-chair of the Canadian Open Tennis Championships from 1969-1975. He also played a major role in the development and building of the National Tennis Centre at York University. He dramatically changed the Canadian Open into the type of tournament it is today.
Bindhardt served more than 30 years as a volunteer in tennis. He played many leading roles as both the director and president of the OTA, Canadian Tennis Association, and was a director on the Canadian Olympic Association, Director of Toronto Lawn Tennis Club and Sports Ontario and Chairman of the Board of the Ontario Sports Administrative Centre.
“Klaus helped lead a movement which significantly raised the profile of tennis across the country, which included our flagship tournament in Toronto,” said former Tennis Canada chair Tony Eames. “His dedication to the sport was matched only by his passion to see more people play tennis. Klaus was a tennis architect and tennis maven.”
Bindhardt was instrumental in the architecture and construction of the National Training Centre at York University and Jarry Parc in Montreal. He helped attract the top players to compete in the Canadian Open.
“He saw the potential in the Canadian Open and what it could do for Canadian tennis,” said Derek Strang, chief operating officer with Tennis Canada. “He very much championed making it bigger, getting the biggest players and sponsors, when the Canadian Open was being held at various clubs.”
Along with his love and devotion for tennis in Canada, Bindhardt also had equal involvement in the Canadian arts. He was a member of several Boards and arts organizations, including the Canadian Opera Company.